Some of you have been asking about Ryan Zimmerman's absence from the lineup the last couple days due to a strained oblique muscle, and whether this injury is any cause for concern. By all accounts, the answer is no. This is a minor strain, unrelated to the one that sidelined Zim for the final 10 games last season. Sounds like if this was the regular season, he'd be playing.

Zimmerman's absence, though, does underscore one of the big reasons you can't read a whole lot into early spring training results: Teams rarely field their entire starting lineup. In fact, only once in 10 Grapefruit League games so far have the Nats trotted out a lineup that could legitimately resemble the one they'll have on Opening Day (March 1 against the Mets, though Adam LaRoche was still restricted to DH duties that day).

Managers do make a point to start using their regular lineup during the final week or two of camp, provided everyone's healthy. By then, Zimmerman's oblique should be a thing of the past.

As for today's game against the Marlins in Jupiter, well, Laynce Nix is hitting third. Need we say more…

(Programming note: I'll be appearing on today's episode of "Lunchbox Live" on CSNwashington.com, talking Nats (and possibly other stuff) with host Ivan Carter. The show begins at noon; click on this link to watch it live.)

Quick poll for the denizens here:Chris Marrero: Does he stick here or does he get traded to an AL team as a potential DH, say by this time next year? I've been hearing that the glove has improved, as has his range. With LaRoache here this year and next, it may make sense to keep him. If he struggles in AA/AAA this season, I wouldn't be surprised to see him packaged to an AL team looking for a future DH…

No Werth again today. It isn't like he can't use some at bats. He's been less than decent at the plate. I sure hope he doesn't turn out to be a dud. He had lots of support in that powerful Phillies lineup and the ballpark is a band-box. If he reverts to his pre-Phillies days, the Nats are in deep doo doo.

Re: MarreroTeams don't trade for DHs. The typical DH is a veteran who no longer can play in the field, e.g., Guerrero or Edgar Martinez, or who has become redundant (Posada, Michael Young) or whose lack of fielding skills dictates full-time DH status (Dunn). They are available by the dozen on the FA market every season. The only "young" DH I can think of has been Butler in KC, and they have finally put him at 1B. Marrero as a DH is unlikely to fetch anything of value in a trade. If he has improved significantly in the field, and has decent offense at Syracuse, someone might want him as a 1B but the lists of Top-100 minor league prospects are heavy w/ first basemen — at least a half dozen that are close to ready. Again assuming improvement in the field, Marrero's highest value to the Nats is as a call-up if LaRoche gets hurt, or as a hedge against LaRoche being traded in 2012 or deciding he can do better elsewhere when his contract is up.

Theophilus, That's a really good analysis; besides teams have started using veterans at DH to rest them. The Yankees did that some with Posada and Arod.Marrero also has not shown that he is such a great power hotter where teams would give up anything for him just to DH. Marrero's best bet is to keep climbing in our organization at least until he proves that he is a legit MLB hitter.

Before the 2010 season, the A's traded for Jake Fox, when he was essentially young DH playing for an NL team (the Cubs). Then again, Jake Fox was putting up some unbelievable AAA numbers (.409/.495/835/1.336 BA/OBP/SLG/OPS) when the A's traded for him. FWIW, he did nothing for the A's, who then dealt him to the Orioles.

On Marrero and anyone else, I want to see someone who earns a spot on the Opening Day roster make it, but it is still too early on Marrero. Let Marrero start some games against real rotation guys and lets see how he handles it. Some of these matchups like the one Eury Perez got yesterday was against a no name. The Mets announcers didn't know who he was or how to pronounce his name whether it was pronounced Buyer or Bayer. It was actually humorous.Lets see how 2 bubble guys (Nix and Stairs) do today vs. Vasquez.Bixler has a tough road ahead of him with all the competition. Frasier is a possibility if we can see more of him but my guess is Riggles and Rizzo already have it down to Hairston, Cora, AGonzalez, Nix and Stairs with Hairston almost certainly in.The bullpen is WIDE open IMO. Burnett and Clippard are in for sure.

Quick question for any of you Spring Training experts: Which Nats staffer(s) is primarily focused on Nats player evaluations during Spring Training? Do they use the assistance of their own scouts or just the big league coaching staff? Would seem like they might want / need the extra assistance of some scouts to dig into each AB, P, play, matchups, etc and the coaching staff may not catch all aspects. I'm sure teams have this down pat, but I was just curious.

NatsJack: you're closest at ground level…is there a published list of which player in the organization is where? In other words: who is down at Viera, and where are they? Obvious as to where the upper level guys are at, but looking to find out who else is in this mysterious congregation of attendees.

joemktg…. the Nats (and most other ML teams) do not print a ML camp roster due to the extreme # of guys in camp. However, if you go to Wikipedia and check "Nationals Minor League Roster" you'll get a listing of every player under contract and that's who's in camp. The big club will bring up one or two guys a game (especially on road trips) from the minor league camp like Lombardozzi and Perez yesterday.I go over early on game day weekends to watch some of the games and workouts. You'll see lots of duplicate numbers and most guys with no names on their backs, so you need to know who's who. I look forward to catching a game with A.J. Cole pitching soon.

SCNatsFan, JZim and Marquis are looking like a solid 2 and 3 and if Livo is the Livo of 2010 then it is hoping for 2 more to step in and hold a spot for Strasburg in September.I still am not convinced Detwiler can go full bore for more than 4 innings which has always been his problem but maybe this year is different. His ST is encouraging as he should make this team in either the starting row or in the bullpen as I think he deserves to be with the big club.My concerns are consistency at the back of the rotation, and how long Marquis and Livo stay effective as they both tired out towards the end of August. It should create opportunity for Maya and Wang too.My other concern is getting a leadoff hitter who can be on base at least at a .340 clip which is echo'd by just about every one on here.

Steve M. said…Lets see how 2 bubble guys (Nix and Stairs) do today vs. Vasquez. March 9, 2011 1:15 PM ———————–Kind of as I thought before the game that stats against AAA guys are far different facing real MLB guys. Nix 0-3 and Stairs 0-2 while hitting into a DP.

Todd Coffey just struck out the side in the bottom of the 5th. I was told Stammen was coming in 2nd but apparently they went with Coffey as the Marlins made no offensive substitutions to this point. Maybe they want Stammen to face an easier lineup. Not sure but real impressive pitching to this point.

Laynce Nix looks good. Unlike Stairs, he's younger and can be a real sub in the OF. At this point he also probably ranks ahead of Ankiel on the depth chart. Ankiel might slightly rank ahead of Nix on offense, and has a history with Riggleman–for what that's worth.

Am i right in saying Coffey struck out the side on 9 pitches? I know it's only ST, but isn't it a pretty rare feat that only a few pitchers have ever accomplished? I know Dibble did it back in the day…

Side bar comment here…. The NL East is going to be interesting with the great/good starting staffs in Philly and Miami with absolutely NO bullpen, the great staff of starters and bullpen in Atlanta and our suspect starters (but I am seeing some potential) and great bullpen. Makes for some interesting baseball.

Janner33 said… "@ SteveM. Thanks, must have been a glitch on mlb.com"Not really a glitch. During ST, pitches are attributed as such:Hit or an out: StrikeStrikeout: 3 StrikesWalk: 4 Ballsand other play results, SB, PB, WP, etc add one to the pitch count

I'm not sure anyone here hates the Expos…On another note, Espinosa's hamate surgery hasn't proven to be much of a hindrance to him, and that is a great sign so far this spring! All this winning, and breeding confidence, is getting me excited to see March 31 finally come!

Exposremains said… "Hate might have been a strong word but I've seen plenty of comments in the past of people wanting to erase any traces of expos history."You probably get that more from the fans who were here for Senators I and Senators II and feel that those teams are the proper baseball history in DC.Being part of the above, I used to feel the same way about it, especially when Expos was getting shoved down our throats by MLB in contests and such, things that were titled "Washington," but didn't include the earlier teams.

I really think that Michael Morse is going to mature into a .285-25-85 type hitter and in a couple of years, someone is going check his baseball-reference page and say, "They got Morse for Ryan Langerhans???"*smile*

Exposremains,At Nats' park, the new "Ring of Honor" (or whatever it's called) embraces all the elements of Washington Nationals history: it honors HoFers who played for the original Senators, Homestead Grays, AND Montreal Expos. And that's just fine with me.

Steve M. said… The Washington Times I think officially hired a Nationals beat writer Amanda Comak who used to write for the Cape Cod Times on everything baseball.Red Smith. Shirley Povich. Tom Boswell. Amanda Comak.Don't you people see the lineage here?I long ago stopped putting quarters in those orange boxes for that weird little paper. Glad Mark got out when he did.

I wouldn't mind if the Nats gave more of a (subtle) nod to the Expos. Have Harrisburg play some games there. Have Andre Dawson day. Wear Les Nationales uniforms once a year. Broadcast Sunday games in french on the Internet.The more revenue (even if its Canadian Loonies) the better, right?

Harper 1 for 1 today. Now at 355 for spring. I told you guys he was gonna burn it up. This is a special kid. He learns on the fly and he's not afraid of failure. His dad is a steel worker, so you know he's grounded. Bring this kid north and start him in right!

Exposremains, short/long story, I went to Bad Citizens Park in Philthadelphia and the only sign of Natsdom I wore was my Curly W cap and the idiots heckled me with a Go Home Expos. Yes, they are so clever but most true fans realize the history of how the Nats came into existence and I am old enough to say I went to Senators games in the 60's and 70's and most Rangers fans couldn't tell you where their team came from.I myself have some cool Expos items from players like Brian Schneider, Livan Hernandez and John Patterson in the transition to the Nats and the history is there and I think the Lerners have embraced it as seen last year with the Ring of Honor celebrations.In reverse, I kind of wish all the Expo fans would remain supporters of the Nats and I know one guy in particular who sends me some nasty messages. Clearly, he is still upset. It sucks to lose your team as Washingtonians did when the Senators left.

Big Cat, keep in mind that .355 is just 6 for 17.this is not all that meaningful and as Nats Jack has pointed out he is not starting games so he is not facing MLB pitching. I am pleasantly surprised but I do know that this must be taken with a grain of salt. If Harper makes it to AA some time this year that would be fantastic and it would mean that a 2012 call up is inevitable; let's see what happens.

I certainly don't "hate" the Expos and I see no problem with keeping that part of the past 'intact'. I do however absolutely despise Boz for entreating with that ancient enemy! The stygian stanky barog's from Natty Boh land. The only good thing that came from there was FRobby who did a fair job of managing the ownerless Nats.

Bryce says that he's feeling "hitterish." What innocent fun the kid is bringing! No, he's not ready, but man, what potential and just flat-out talent. He's gotta Go down, learn, i.e. perfect the basics. Get him up to AA and AAA as soon as possible so as he gets to see a higher level of pitching. Pity the lower A level pitchers!

Poppycock, he's not facing major league pitching. Isn't Drew Storen throwing in the late innings? Teams are pitching their rosters, regardless of the inning. Listen, the Nats have been absolutely dreadful the last 3-4 years. Pretty much the laughing stock of the league. They signed Werth for huge bucks and offered a lot of promises that pretty much fell through. You got a half empty brand new stadium in the nations capital. The Skins suck, the Wizards are unwatchable. Come on man, what the heck do we have to lose? This team can win now! Our pitching is coming around. Come on Rizzo, add some excitement to this dead ass town. Bring "The Kid" north. Did I say "The Kid?" Isn't that what they called Ted Williams back in 38?

Besides his obvious talent, Harper seems to have a really good sense of humor (in Anglaise Expo speak, that's humour). He's having fun and learning the game. Any rookie that can hit high outside pitches to the "oppo boppo' LF, can figure out the rest of big league hitting, sooner rather than later. Baring injury, Harps will be in Syracuse by August!Gooooooooooooooooooo Kid!

NatsJack: I definitely want to hear a report on Cole. I'm curious to see how high the velocity gets as he gets older and fills out. He could be a steal. Any reports on those young guys are greatly appreciated.

@Steve M.:"My concerns are consistency at the back of the rotation, and how long Marquis and Livo stay effective as they both tired out towards the end of August."Concerning Livo, you have a point. Regarding Marquis, you're totally wrong. Marquis missed most of the year from April to august after having bone chips flushed out of his elbow. His starts from mid-August through the end of the season were not as good as Lannan's, statistically, but Marquis showed enough in that stretch to merit the situation he is in this ST: a spot in the starting rotation was his to lose. Right now, he appears in firm possession of a starting spot.bertbkatz

The Nats are not going to be contenders this year. Why bring up Bryce Harper and lose a year of control over him when its not going to mean so much? IMO he should be seasoned in the minors this year and maybe be brought up next year.

This team can win now! Our pitching is coming around. Come on Rizzo, add some excitement to this dead ass town. Bring "The Kid" north. Did I say "The Kid?" Isn't that what they called Ted Williams back in 38?That "KID" spent 2+ years in the minors, in his second and third year he completely demolished the Pacific League. Where Kaline did not spend any time in the minors. Look at the difference. At age 22 "the Kid" hit over .400. I suspect that what Bryce could learn down in the minors might give him the ability to repeat that feat. Imagine a .400 hitter and a Walter Johnson clone in DC together … a baseball blockbuster movie in the making … wonder if Charlie Sheen would play a part in that one … ~snicker~

I really don't mind if people LOVE or HATE the Expos. All I want to know is: "did the Nats win their last game". History means absolutely nothing nor has no bearing on the result of a current game played. So, enjoy what you have and don't lose sleep because everyone doesn't view history exactly as you do. GO NATS!!